Hands High

This photo was taken by the Methodist comms team at our annual conference in June 2024. It was the third year in a row that we’ve been based at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre in Belfast, and my fifth as Director of Music (2020 and 2021 were a capella on Zoom!).

During the four-day event we sang a lot of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, accompanied by grand pipe organ, full band, just a guitar or piano, or simply our voices. Music for a procession of presidents, music while we shared communion or received anointing, music that faded to silence. Sometimes, all that’s left to do is lift a hand high, declare ‘I love you Lord Jesus’, and wait in his presence.

At a different conference in November 2024, the 24-7prayer Gathering in Rotterdam, I was ‘just’ singing as part of the congregation, but found myself tearing up and/or unable to sing from time to time. I was overwhelmed by the passion and desire of the 1000+ people present to give their very best to Jesus in worship. Somewhere in there was also the crystallising of a calling that has been with me for over thirty years, to ‘make more worshippers of Jesus Christ’.

We’re still in the Christmas season, when we hear the angels sing to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” – our work in heaven will include singing God’s praises; our job on earth is to be prepared for that role! An interesting thing to me is that often when Christians sing their hearts out in worship there is a moment when the music stops and there is simply: peace. This cycle of praise and peace is one I yearn to be part of forever, and long for as many people as possible to experience.

It’s been nearly twenty years since I led the Autumn Soul Band; nearly ten since Soul Purpose stepped down from playing at Castlewellan Holiday Week. But, Sunday by Sunday, for thirty years, I have helped to lead small groups of God’s people in praise and prayer, or tried to encourage those who are ministering. Kathryn has been doing the same, and it’s cool that our boys are joining in too! At the start of a new year, I’m looking forward to more occasions of leading and being led in worship, whether on my own in the car, with friends in Dromore, or joining with hundreds or even thousands of others who love Jesus.

There is nothing better.

---

PS This post on New Year’s Day 2025 is a nod to a nudge that I should try to create content in the middle of all the consuming that I do. More than two posts this year, I promise!